Composition and process for production of flame colorants



Aug 22, 1967 A. W. L OCKHART 3,337,3

E COLORANTS COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF FLAM Filed July 29, 1966 Wm. ci

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Anna W. Lockhar WWW United States Patent O 3,337,311 CMPOSlTlN AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION F FLAME CODDRANTS Anna W. Lockhart, 1535 N. 18th St., Grand Junction, Colo. 31501 Filed July 29, 1966, Ser. No. 568,961 4 Claims. (Cl. 44-4) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A process for the production of an article utilized to impart a display of color to a fire which article upon initial combustion comprises a glasslike porous body which controls the release of llame colorant compounds and the like contained therein.

The present invention relates generally to llame colorants such as utilized to impart a display of color to log res and more particularly to a composition and process for the production of flame colorants which are adapted to emit a varying color `display for substantially longer periods of time than possible with flame colorant cornpositions and products known heretofore.

The use of vitriols, namely copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, zinc sulphate, etc. in conjunction with log burning fires to impart a decorative coloration to the flames is well known. In addition, the yart is replete with various methods and compositions utilized for the production of articial fuel which is molded so as to simulate the appearance of natural wood logs such as generally utilized in the home fireplace.

Such simulated logs are oftentimes provided with a minor proportion of vitriols so as to produce a colorful display during the burning thereof. However, as is well known, simulated logs of the nature described have burning characteristics quite unlike those of natural wood logs because of differences in the physical characteristics, moisture content, mineral content, etc., between the natural and simulated logs.

Therefore, when practicable, most persons prefer to utilize natural wood logs in the fireplace. It will be ap preciated that it is highly impractical and economically unfeasible to impregnato a natural wood log with a llame colorant solution such as one containing vitriols, for example, and therefore it is generally customary when utilizing such flame colorants in conjunction with a natural log lire to sprinkle an admiXture of vitriols onto the logs prior to or during combustion of the logs.

It will be readily apparent to those familar with this manner of utilizing such llame colorants that the colorants are rapidly consumed and accordingly the display of color is of relatively short duration, often only in the order of ten to fifteen minutes duration.

The prior art in attempting to prolong the duration of the colorful display suggested placing the flame colorant salts in 'a combustible tube which is readily consumed when subjected to a flame so as to release the flame colorants therefrom. While it is true that the packaging of llame colorant chemicals in this manner does prolong the colorful display somewhat longer than the display 'achieved by merely sprinkling a small quantity of flame colorant chemicals over the fuel to be or being burned the duration of the colorful display falls short of that which is normally desirable.

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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a composition for and method of producing a flame colorant article which in use is characterized by a greatly prolonged duration of a desired colorful display thereby affording a more pleasing, and economical display than possible with llame colorant compositions or articles known heretofore.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition and process for the production of flame colorant articles which are so compounded so as to enhance the pleasant crackling sound charatceristic of most natural log fires in addition to producing a prolonged colorful display when utilized in conjunction with a natural log fire or the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a composition and process for the production of a flame colorant article which is compounded so as to be characterized by a relatively heat stable glass-like porous glazed surface and an irregular or porous interior portion which cooperates to eiectively prolong the duration of the llame colorant display produced by the article formulated and produced in accordance with the n-ovel process as set forth in the present invention.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flame colorant composition and article which is so compounded so as to include a compound capable of forming a glass-like porous substance which is utilized in conjunction with various flame colorant chemicals,` and coacts therewith, to provide a physical inhibition of the degradation or release of the flame colorant chemicals and accordingly substantially prolongs the duration of the colorful 4display produced thereby when the flame colorant article produced in accordance with the present invention is used in conjunction with a natural log lire or the like.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a composition and process for the production of a flame colorant article which is characterized by a porous glass-like container produced by the novel method of the present invention wherein material capable of forming a glass-like porous substance is intimately admixed with llame colorant chemicals and a cellulosic liber carrier to produce a llame colorant article which upon initial combustion the cellulosic material is burned out and the glass forming material fuses to produce -an article characterized by a porous glass-like surface the pores of which are connected to interstices throughout the body'of the article whereby the release of llame colorants from the interior of the article, and minute explosion from salt crystals retained therein occurs over a prolonged period when the -article produced in accordance with the present invention is subjected to the heat of combustion attendant a natural log fire or the like.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a composition and process for the production of a flame colorant article which is characterized by a relatively thick glass-like porous surface which controls the escape of the metallic elements in gaseous 'form to such a degree that some are forced to the outer upper perimeter of the area of the lire when the artic-le is burned and accordingly form an arcuate aureola, or rainbow, suspended a small distance above the highest llame point and whereby the controlled release of metallic lgases to the lower perimeter cause, in the embers, an iridescent glow in abundant spectacular shades.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the discussion which follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, and in which:

The ligure is a flow diagram of the process of the present invention to produce a novel flame colorant article.

Brielly, the present invention provides a composition and method of producing a llame colorant article, preferably molded in the form of a small log, or the like, which in one aspect comprises an admixture of preferred proportions of a comminuted cellulosic liber carrier such as sawdust, excelsior, leaves, bark, pine needles, pine cones, corn husks, corn stems, paper pulp, corn cobs, etc., which fiber is intimately admixed with an aqueous solution or suspension of one or more compounds capable of forming a glass-like porous shell and matrix. An aqueous slurry of vitriols, partially undissolved coarse sodium chloride crystals and glutinous paste is then added and the papiermache-like mass is blended to assure that the undissolved sodium chloride crystals and other coactive components are well distributed throughout the cellulosic carrier.

The glass-like porous shell and matrix for the ame colorants and sodium chloride may be formed by the low temperature fritting of compounds selected from one or a mixture of compounds selected from the borates of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and strontium as well as phosphates of calcium, potassium, sodium-ammonium together with sodium silicates, boric oxides and acids such as, for example:

2 3 Mg3(BO3)2 Mg2B205' Mg(BO2)2`6H2O and Nagslog The thoroughly blended papier-mache-vitriol glass forming compound slurry is then molded to form small simulated logs, for example, which logs are then dried by subjecting to a temperature of approximately 250 F. for about one hour. In such state, the rolls are only partially dried but are sufliciently cohesive and self-sustaining to permit the rolls to be further dried as by relatively low temperature naturally or artificially heated air for approximately three days to assure that the rolls do not lose their intended configuration.

When produced in accordance with the novel method of the present invention as described briefly above, the flame colorant article when utilized in conjunction with a natural wood lire or the like will give ol a bright display of colored flames for a period of approximately 21/2. to 3 hours. The coarse sodium chloride crystals and the glass forming compound cause a fritted clinker or glasslike porous shell and porous glass body or matrix to form which releasably encapsulates the flame colorants with the result that the flames have a decorative coloration imparted thereto for a period of time susbtantially longer than is possible with flame colorant compositions known heretofore. The salt crystals are preferably the coarse rock salt type used for cooling a hand operated ice cream cooler.

While it is not intended to be restricted by this analysis as implied above it is believed that the combustion of the cellulosic material and fritting of the borax, or other suitable compound as set forth above which is capable producing a highly porous glass-like shell and matrix thus acts to retain the vitriols and sodium chloride crystals therein and releases them slowly from the body of the llame colorant log through the interstices formed by the burning out of the cellulosic material. The release of the vitriols is apparently aided by minute explosions of the sodium chloride crystals, which explosions assist in further enhancing the desirability of the article produced in accordance with the present invention inasmuch as the explosions closely approximate the sound created by the popping and crackling of a natural log fire.

More specically, as shown schematically in the accompanying drawing the glass forming compound or compounds are substantially dissolved or suspended in an amount of hot water sufficient to plasticize the cellulosic material. To this is added an aqueous glutinous paste, or the like. The above components are admixed and added to an appropriate amount of comminuted cellulosic liber. The requisite amount of sodium chloride, copper sulfate and vitriol mixture is added to the treated cellulosic mass together with a minor amount of colorant, if desired.

The thoroughly mixed paper-mache impregnated with the coactive components is extruded or otherwise molded into logs, which are preferably about two inches in diameter and eight inches long, in a manner so as to form a somewhat self-sustaining log, being certain of course not to express the vitriol-salt-sodium borate, etc. paste mixture therefrom.

The moist rolls so formed are put through an initial partial dehydration step wherein they are subjected to a temperature of approximately 200 to 250 F. for approximately one hour so as to form a generally self-sustaining log which ymay then be put through a final drying step wherein they are permitted to air dry for approximately three days so as to permit evaporation of substantially all the uncombined water or alternatively are dried with forced hot air.

The flame colorant logs produced as set forth above will provide a highly colorful display when used in conjunction With a lire utilizing either natural logs or logs merely formed of compressed cellulosic material without any additives. Toward this end, it is merely necessary to place one or more of the ame colorant logs at or near the top of the logs either before or subsequent to lighting thereof. As soon as the re begins to burn brightly, the sodium borate or other suitable compound will produce a porous glass-like surface on the log which glass-like condition will extend throughout the log to form a matrix characterized by numerous interstices formed by the burning out of the cellulosic material. The borax, for example, fuses to a glass-like porous mass at red heat of about 75- 200" C. The log will then slowly give olf an abundance of brilliant blues and greens with occasional splashes of purple and rose as well as crackling sounds due to the minute explosions of the sodium chloride crystals. The length of time the log will emit a colorful display of course depends to some degree on the management of the fire. However, in use, a flame colorant log of approximately two inches in diameter and eight inches in length will last for approximately 21/2 to 3 hours or longer.

The following example is included to specifically illustrate the present invention.

Example I The production of a llame colorant article in accordance wlth the process of the present invention comprises dissolving about 3 parts of borax in about 21 parts of water, preferably at a temperature of approximately 212 F. To this is added a glutinous paste preferably cornprising 3 parts Wheat paste binder suspended in 5 parts of water. The mixture of these two is added to about 5 parts comminuted cellulosic fibers which admixture is manipulated until the cellulosic fibers are transformed to a papier-machelike mass.

Approximately 3 parts coarse rock salt crystals, such as normally used for ice cream freezers for example, is admixed with the papier-mache mass after which about 2 parts copper sulphate or an admixture of copper sulphate, and other vitriols such as green and white vitriols is intimately admixed therewith. An additional 2 parts of copper sulphate is then mixed into the mass. A minor amount of colorant, such as about 1/2 part of -red clay for example, may be optionally added between the addition of the vitriols.

The thoroughly mixed papier-mache is then extruded through a forming die, or placed in suitable molds, being certain not to express the vitriol-salt-wheat paste glass" forming compound mixture from the cellulosic fiber. Preferably, the material is divided into logs having a diameter of approximately two inches and a length of approximately eight inches. The logs so formed are dried at a temperature of approximately 200 to 250 F. for approximately one hour so as to render the logs generally self-sustaining. This may best be accomplished in an oven devoid of any substantial airflow.

Subsequent to the predrying as set forth above, the logs are air dried for approximately three days, which of course depends upon the relative humidity, to permit loss of substantially all uncombined moisture so as to render the logs substantially self-sustaining.

The logs are then packaged in suitable hermetic packages to ensure that the flame colorant logs do not absorb excess moisture during storage.

As set forth previously in order to utilize the llame colorant logs it is merely necessary to place a single log on a natural log fire or the like. The initial combustion of the cellulosic material contained in the flame colorant log together with the fritting or vitrication of the sodium borate or other glassaforming compound contained therein, will produce a highly porous glass-like llame colorant log which slowly but steadily releases the vitriols to effect a coloration of the flames while simultaneously creating a crackling sound characteristic of natural log fires due to the minute explosions of the rock salt crystals. It may therefore be seen that there has been provided a novel process for the production of a novel llame colorant article of a novel composition which overcomes many of the disadvantages inherent in llame colorant articles and compositions known heretofore.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact example described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A method of producing a flame colorant article which upon initial combustion of cellulosic liber contained therein and fusing of a glass-forming compound contained therein produces ya glass-like porous body adapted to slowly release flame colorant chemicals and the like contained therein which comprises the steps of:

(a) intimately admixing an aqueous `solution of a glassforming compound with an aqueous paste;

(b) adding the glass-forming compound-paste mixture to a suitable amount of comminuted cellulosic liber and manipulating the fiber paste mixture until a cohesive pulped moldable mass is formed said cellulosic fiber being suicient to form upon initial combustion thereof and fusing of said glass-forming compound a porous body;

(c) adding to the moldable mass coarse sodium chloride and vitriols in an amount sufficient to produce a decorative display over a prolonged period of time when the article is ignited said sodium chloride crystals being added in a manner whereby they will be in a partially undissolved state;

(d) forming the mixture into discrete ame colorant articles without undue loss of the chemicals incorporated with the cellulosic fibers;

(e) drying the formed articles at a temperature of about 200-250 F. for a sufficient length of time to dry the articles sufficiently to permit further handling of the ame colorant articles without disintegration thereof;

(f) air drying the partially dried flame colorant articles for a sufficient period of time so as to permit loss of substantially all uncombined moisture.

2. A flame colorant article which upon initial combustion produces a glass-like porous body adapted to slowly release flame colorant chemicals and the like contained therein which article consists essentially of a comminuted cellulosic fiber intimately admixed with vitriols, rock salt, a glass-forming compound and a binder.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said glass-forming compound is selected from the group consisting of:

said cellulosic fiber being present in sufficient amount to form upon initial combustion thereof and fusing of said glassforming compound -a glass-like porous body.

4. The flame colorant article of claim 2 wherein said glass-forming compound is selected from the group consisting of:

7 8 K2B2O4 References Cited lo UNITED STATES PATENTS y B2204 7 698,850 4/1902 Peakes 44-6 Mg BOBM 5 1,618,465 2/1927 Nybakker 44 4 MgB2O5-5H2O 1,750,371 3/1930 Tanner 44- 6 Mg(BO2)2.2H2O 2,475,767 7/1949 Williams et a1. 44-10 Mg(BO2)2`6H2O DANIEL E. WYMAN, Primary Examiner.

Na2SiO3 10 C. F. DEES, Assistant Examiner.

and 

1. A METHOD OF PRODUCING A FLAME COLORANT ARTICLE WHICH UPON INITIAL COMBUSION OF CELLULOSIC FIBER CONTAINED THEREIN AND FUSING OF A GLASS-FORMING COMPOUND CONTAINED THEREIN PRODUCES A GLASS-LIKE POROUS BODY ADAPTED TO SLOWLY RELEASE FLAME COLORANT CHEMICALS AND THE LIKE CONTAINED THEREIN WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: (A) INTIMATELY ADMIXING AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF A GLASSFORMING COMPOUND WITH AN AQUEOUS PASTE; (B) ADDING THE GLASS-FORMING COMPOUND-PASTE MIXTURE TO A SUBITABLE AMOUNT OF COMMINUTED CELLULOSIC FIBER AND MANIPULATING THE FIBER PASTE MIXTURE UNTIL A COHESIVE PULPED MOLDABLE MASS IS FORMED SAID CELLULOSIC FIBER BEING SUFFICIENT TO FORM UPON INITIAL COMBUSTION THEREOF AND FUSING OF SAID GLASS-FORMING COMPOUND A POROUS BODY; (C) ADDING TO THE MOLDABLE MASS COARSE SODIUM CHLORIDE AND VITRIOLS IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE A DECORATIVE DISPLAY OVER A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THE ARTICLE IS IGNIED SAID SODIUM CHLORIDE CRYSTALS BEING ADDED IN A MANNER WHEREBY THEY WILL BE IN A PARTIALLY UNDISSOLVED STATE; (D) FORMING THE MIXTURE INTO DISCRETE FLAME COLORANT ARTICLES WITHOU UNDUE LOSS OF THE CHEMICALS INCORPORATED WITH THE CELLULOSIC FIBERS; (E) DRYING THE FORMED ARTICLES AT A TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 200%-250*F. FOR A SUFFICIENT LENGTH OF TIME TO DRY THE ARTICLES SUFFICIENTLY TO PERMIT FURTHER HANDLING OF THE FLAME COLORANT ARTICLES WITHOUT DISINTEGRATION THEREOF; (F) AIR DRYING THE PARTIALLY DRIED FLAME COLORANT ARTICLES FOR A SUFFICIENT PERIOD OF TIME SO AS TO PERMIT LOSS OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL UNCOMBINED MOISTURE. 